University of Maine
Connecticut
Softball Defeats Hofstra 3-2
3/18/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- The Black Bears offense pushed across three runs in the bottom of the third and starter Kylie Sparks (Kirkland, Wash.) tossed a three-hitter as Maine defeated Hofstra 3-2 in the finale of the Hofstra Invitational. Dagmar Ralphs (O'Fallon, Ill.) had a solid day at the plate as she went 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI.
With the game tied at 0-0 heading into the bottom of the third, the Black Bears rallied for three runs to jump out to a 3-0 lead. Jessica Burk (Warrenton, Va.) started the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a one-out single from Brynne Davis (Winslow, Maine). Ralphs drove in the first Maine run of the afternoon as her single up the middle plated Burk. Jennifer Eberhardt (Glendale, Ariz.) ripped a double into right field, scoring Davis from second and advancing Ralphs to third. EmJ Fogel (Vienna, Va.) followed with a deep fly to center, deep enough for Ralphs to tag and score the third and final run of the inning for the Black Bears.
Hofstra answered with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth. With Courtney Crews on second and nobody out, Erin Trippi doubled to right allowing Crews to score. D.J. Slugh followed with an RBI double of her own which plated Trippi. However, Sparks would retire the next three Pride batters in order to maintain the 3-2 lead for the Black Bears.
Sparks and the Maine defense continued to be solid as the Black Bears kept Hofstra off the scoreboard, locking up the 3-2 win.
Sparks picks up the win in the circle for Maine as she went the full seven innings while giving up two runs, one earned, on three hits while fanning one.
The Black Bears open up America East conference play on Saturday, March 31st as they travel to battle Albany beginning with a doubleheader starting at 1 PM.
-U-M-
